Album Notes

“Take in the beauty of Kathleen Deignan's gentle, penetrating music. Her lyrics, her melodies, and her exquisite voice lift us to new heights. Joined with the exquisite vocal harmonies of Anima Schola these recordings provide a restful, refreshing space in your spiritual journey. You will play this music over and over. It will full your prayer. Captivated by its beauty, you will want to give this gift to those you love.”
Dan Driscoll, Spiritual Books Associates



Anima Schola

Kathleen is the composer for the enselble Anima Schola who lead the sung praise of a vibrant Christian community in New England. Offering a variety of musical gifts, they interweave the evocative sounds of Native American flute, medieval psaltry, folk guitar, African rattles and tambourines, and the intensity of Middle Eastern percussion. Entwined with the Celtic lyrical and mysticism of Sister Kathleen's songs, theirs is a unique sound able to transport a congregation, or a single soul, into the depths of prayer.


Short takes

The spirited musicians of Anima Schola carry the ancient traditions of sacred music into a new time and fresh musical idiom. The vibrant language of soul expressed in Kathleen Deignan's compositions, resounds in a skillful blend of Celtic lyricism, Middle Eastern rhythms, and rich vocal harmonies. There is simply no sound like theirs in the world of Christian or liturgical music.

Kathleen Deignan, C.N.D., Ph.D. is Professor of Religious Studies at Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, where she founded and directs the Iona Spirituality Institute and the Iona Peace Institute in Ireland. A graduate of Fordham University, she is the author of Christ Spirit: The Eschatology of Shaker Christianity. Articles on the legacy of Thomas Merton and other issues in spirituality have been published in The Way, Review for Religious, Franciscan Review, Sacred Journey, the Thomas Merton Annual, and Sisters Today. A liturgical musician and composer, she has produced several recordings of sacred song for worship and prayer: Stations: Songs for the Paschal Journey, Borne By Grace: Songs of Praise and Contemplation, and Bride Spirit: Songs of the Beloved. For more information on her recordings and ministry visit www.deignan.org.